Iran Mourns Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

A prominent figure in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, General Ahmad Vahidi, has made a public appearance as Iran prepares for the extended funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Images released by Iranian state media show Vahidi attending a meeting regarding Khamenei’s funeral, followed by a smaller service held near the former residence of the Supreme Leader in central Tehran. This marks the first time Vahidi has been seen since early February, prior to the onset of conflict involving Iran.

Experts suggest that Vahidi plays a crucial role in shaping Iran’s strategic approach towards negotiating a potential end to hostilities with the United States. He is reportedly among a select group directly communicating with the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who is in hiding following injuries from Israeli strikes in February.

Footage shared by state media depicted the mourning ceremony for Khamenei at Tehran’s husseiniyah. An initial Israeli airstrike had killed Khamenei and several family members. Images show Khamenei’s body in a coffin, with red tulips and paper butterflies as part of the setting.

Mourners, clad in black, included families who lost members in the recent conflicts of 2025 and the ongoing Iran war. They performed a local ritual by offering items to touch the coffin. Later, media images displayed Khamenei’s casket covered by a red flag bearing the inscription “Ya Hussein,” honoring the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and symbolizing the call for justice.

On Friday, security forces transported Khamenei’s casket by hand to the Grand Mosalla in Tehran. Religious figures passed by the coffins of Khamenei and his family, including his young granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani.

Starting Saturday, Khamenei’s funeral will continue over several days, with his body visiting various cities in Iran and Iraq. Authorities will halt urban life, closing streets and airspace in Tehran, as the nation commemorates Khamenei’s longstanding and authoritative leadership confronting Western influences.